This is a study on 422 female prisoners in peninsular Malaysia. More than half of the female prisoners are foreigners, mainly from Indonesia and Thailand. This study surveys the background of the respondents and identifies factors that may have influenced them to commit the offences. Female prisoners in Malaysia, particularly those who are foreigners, still fit the stereotypical image of female prisoners of the 1970s. They fit into the economic marginalisation thesis proposed by Steffensmeier and Streifel (1992) that women commit crimes because of poverty and financial problems. They also fit into Merlo's contention that poverty and drugs were major factors contributing to female criminality. Other factors that are related to re-offending or recidivism include physical abuse, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, coming from unhappy homes, having family members who have been charged with an offence previously and having family members who have been to prison. The rehabilitation programmes in the Malaysian prisons are also lacking and outdated. New rehabilitation programmes need to be implemented to help female prisoners reintegrate into the society. (Contains 3 tables.)